| Author | |
Chari
Forum Moderator
Joined: Jan 28 2005
Location: California
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 5228
|
| Posted: Nov 27 2009 at 1:36pm | IP Logged
|
 |
|
Keeping a rolling topic........
I hope to make brown scapulars for each memeber of my family.
And, my mom LOVES getting the scrapbooked calendar the kids make for her every year.....last year, I made one at snapfish.com for under $20......we are going that route again for her this year.
For my husband........for at least five years, the kids make a scrapbooked photo calendar for him.......by scratch.......that will happen again......it is his favorite gift for having at work. 
How about you?
Anything you made last year that was a good idea?
I have one more easy thing to add..........but alas no more time.........will bring it back later.......the tea needs more time to steep! 
__________________
Chari...Take Up & Read
Dh Marty 27yrs...3 lovely maidens: Anne 24, Sarah 20 & Maddelyn 17 and 3 chivalrous sons: Matthew 22, Garrett 16 & Malachy 11
|
| Back to Top |
|
| |
SeaStar
Forum Moderator
Joined: Sept 16 2006
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 9068
|
| Posted: Nov 27 2009 at 2:50pm | IP Logged
|
|
|
I am making microwaveable heating pads.... you fill a muslim/cotton square with rice or corn kernels and sew the bag shut. Then you make a pretty cover for it with flannel or cotton. The cover is held closed with velcro and can be taken off and washed. Sometimes I scent the corn/rice with essential oils.
I use deer corn to fill the bags. My kids love to pick all the kernels off, then dh washes them and puts them in the oven to dry. About 2 lbs of corn per pad is a good amount.
Then at night or anytime you are cold, you put one in the microwave for a couple of minutes, and it comes out toasty warm and smells good. We take them to bed at night. Bliss!
Here's a quick tutorial: heating pads
__________________
Melinda, mom to ds ('02) and dd ('04)
SQUILT Music Appreciation
|
| Back to Top |
|
| |
mavmama
Forum All-Star
Joined: Nov 01 2006
Location: N/A
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 618
|
| Posted: Nov 27 2009 at 3:45pm | IP Logged
|
|
|
I made several sets of dishrags (knitted) for the ladies in my family, and 7.5 pints of green tomato mince meat for my dad. I hope to get a few hats knitted, too.
__________________
Liz
Blessed by 4 wonders
dd11, dd911, ds9, ds8
|
| Back to Top |
|
| |
4 lads mom
Forum All-Star
Joined: Sept 26 2006
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 1944
|
| Posted: Nov 27 2009 at 3:55pm | IP Logged
|
|
|
AH, Chari, I just got back from the fabric store, getting supplies to make Lily a Waldorf kind of doll. I am looking over "Kinder Doll", and am hoping I can pull this off. I also hope to knit a few things.....but we'll have to see.
Can't wait to hear what others are doing....
__________________
Mom of four brave lads and one sweet lassie
Scenes From This and That
|
| Back to Top |
|
| |
LML22
Forum Newbie
Joined: June 29 2006
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 33
|
| Posted: Nov 27 2009 at 3:58pm | IP Logged
|
|
|
SeaStar wrote:
I am making microwaveable heating pads.... you fill a muslim/cotton square with rice or corn kernels and sew the bag shut. Then you make a pretty cover for it with flannel or cotton. The cover is held closed with velcro and can be taken off and washed. Sometimes I scent the corn/rice with essential oils.
I use deer corn to fill the bags. My kids love to pick all the kernels off, then dh washes them and puts them in the oven to dry. About 2 lbs of corn per pad is a good amount.
Then at night or anytime you are cold, you put one in the microwave for a couple of minutes, and it comes out toasty warm and smells good. We take them to bed at night. Bliss!
Here's a quick tutorial: heating pads |
|
|
Melinda,
How long do these stay warm? Sounds like my kids would like these at night.
|
| Back to Top |
|
| |
Erin
Forum Moderator
Joined: Feb 23 2005
Location: Australia
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 5814
|
| Posted: Nov 27 2009 at 4:01pm | IP Logged
|
|
|
Chari
What is a scrapbooked calendar?
__________________
Erin
Faith Filled Days
Seven Little Australians
|
| Back to Top |
|
| |
Kristie 4
Forum All-Star
Joined: June 20 2006
Location: Canada
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 1508
|
| Posted: Nov 27 2009 at 4:58pm | IP Logged
|
|
|
I start waaaay to late every year and end up staying up all hours the last few days before Christmas! That said, I am doing it again this year!
-pjs for my two youngest boys
-housecoat for my daughter (by the way, I don't even like to sew but I put that hat on once a year for the pjs!!)
-granola for friends
-picture calender for all the grandparents (ala Staples- they make it so easy!)
-and something for my ds14- hopefully a hat (as I love to knit, but it does take time!)
My dd12 has almost completely finished with making gifts for everyone in the family, but she has a large cache of handmade gifts for any occasion!!
__________________
Kristie in Canada
Mom to 3 boys and one spunky princess!!
A Walk in the Woods
|
| Back to Top |
|
| |
mathmama
Forum All-Star
Joined: Jan 07 2006
Location: Pennsylvania
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 771
|
| Posted: Nov 27 2009 at 5:04pm | IP Logged
|
|
|
For DD#1 and DD#2 I am making Christmas nightgowns and pillowcases to open on Christmas Eve before bed. For DD#1 I am making a robe and for DD#2 I am making a very simple blanket using Beatrix Potter fabric. I will most likely make them each another pillowcase as well. I am making stuff for the Godparents as well, but will refrain from posting that here I will make a photo calendar for my dad. I have already made my niece and nephew a robe and placemats and napkins for my mom and stepdad.
__________________
Beth, wife to Tom and mommy to 4 beautiful girls:
Therese 11/04
Anna Mary 6/07
Veronica 10/09
Theodora 11/12
|
| Back to Top |
|
| |
SeaStar
Forum Moderator
Joined: Sept 16 2006
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 9068
|
| Posted: Nov 27 2009 at 5:14pm | IP Logged
|
|
|
LML22 wrote:
SeaStar wrote:
I am making microwaveable heating pads.... you fill a muslim/cotton square with rice or corn kernels and sew the bag shut. Then you make a pretty cover for it with flannel or cotton. The cover is held closed with velcro and can be taken off and washed. Sometimes I scent the corn/rice with essential oils.
I use deer corn to fill the bags. My kids love to pick all the kernels off, then dh washes them and puts them in the oven to dry. About 2 lbs of corn per pad is a good amount.
Then at night or anytime you are cold, you put one in the microwave for a couple of minutes, and it comes out toasty warm and smells good. We take them to bed at night. Bliss!
Here's a quick tutorial: heating pads |
|
|
Melinda,
How long do these stay warm? Sounds like my kids would like these at night. |
|
|
Let's see... putting a "two pounder" of corn (my dc call these their "cornies") in the microwave for about 2 minutes makes it nice and toasty, and it holds the heat for a good 30-60 minutes, longer if you put it under a blanket. They are great to "preheat" the bed at night.
You can make them any size, but I have found that under 2-2.5 pounds they just don't hold the heat as long (but can always be reheated). Also, corn works better for us than rice. HTH
__________________
Melinda, mom to ds ('02) and dd ('04)
SQUILT Music Appreciation
|
| Back to Top |
|
| |
4 lads mom
Forum All-Star
Joined: Sept 26 2006
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 1944
|
| Posted: Nov 27 2009 at 5:35pm | IP Logged
|
|
|
Soooooo......if you put these corn bags in too long in the microwave....do you get popcorn??  Just kidding....sort of....
I might try my hand at these.....I've seen them with rice, but not corn.
__________________
Mom of four brave lads and one sweet lassie
Scenes From This and That
|
| Back to Top |
|
| |
joann10
Forum All-Star
Joined: Feb 10 2007
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 3493
|
| Posted: Nov 27 2009 at 6:41pm | IP Logged
|
|
|
4 lads mom wrote:
I might try my hand at these.....I've seen them with rice, but not corn. |
|
|
We make ours with oatmeal---it smells soooo good when it is heated and stays warm for quite a while.
|
| Back to Top |
|
| |
wahoo92
Forum Rookie
Joined: Sept 30 2006
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 59
|
| Posted: Nov 27 2009 at 7:19pm | IP Logged
|
|
|
My husband made these (heating pads) one year with rice as gifts for our family and for us. He also used decorative rope to put handles on the ends. I would say they are about six inches wide by about 16 inches long and hold maybe two pounds or so of rice. I don't think they are quite as fancy as the ones described above.
We use them nightly all winter. I heat mine 5 1/2 minutes, my hubby, 4, and they are still warm to touch at three in the morning. Note that mine is very, very hot initially when I put it in bed, but it heats up the bed nicely and cools down to a reasonable temperature rather quickly. Even at four minutes, my husband's pad stays warm most of the night, it just doesn't radiate as much heat at first.
Enjoy. We've been using these at least eight years, so they have a very long shelf life.
__________________
Sarah
Ellie,11, Madeline, 8, Lucy, 5, Evelyn, 1
herdingturtles101.blogspot.com
|
| Back to Top |
|
| |
SeaStar
Forum Moderator
Joined: Sept 16 2006
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 9068
|
| Posted: Nov 27 2009 at 8:59pm | IP Logged
|
|
|
joann10 wrote:
4 lads mom wrote:
I might try my hand at these.....I've seen them with rice, but not corn. |
|
|
We make ours with oatmeal---it smells soooo good when it is heated and stays warm for quite a while.
|
|
|
Ohh...oatmeal. What a great smell. I am going to try that, maybe branching out into a different shape. I like the rope handle idea. That adds a nice touch.
__________________
Melinda, mom to ds ('02) and dd ('04)
SQUILT Music Appreciation
|
| Back to Top |
|
| |
MicheleQ
Forum All-Star
Joined: Feb 23 2005
Location: Pennsylvania
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 2193
|
| Posted: Nov 27 2009 at 11:54pm | IP Logged
|
|
|
SeaStar wrote:
joann10 wrote:
4 lads mom wrote:
I might try my hand at these.....I've seen them with rice, but not corn. |
|
|
We make ours with oatmeal---it smells soooo good when it is heated and stays warm for quite a while.
|
|
|
Ohh...oatmeal. What a great smell. I am going to try that, maybe branching out into a different shape. I like the rope handle idea. That adds a nice touch. |
|
|
I just love this idea as our bedrooms tend to be quite cold in the winter months. Alas, we do not have a microwave and I fear it would be too much of a fire risk in the oven. 
__________________
Michele Quigley
wife to my prince charming and mom of 10 in Lancaster County, PA USA
http://michelequigley.com
|
| Back to Top |
|
| |
Mary G
Forum All-Star
Joined: Feb 07 2005
Location: Virginia
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 5790
|
| Posted: Nov 28 2009 at 10:33am | IP Logged
|
|
|
joann10 wrote:
4 lads mom wrote:
I might try my hand at these.....I've seen them with rice, but not corn. |
|
|
We make ours with oatmeal---it smells soooo good when it is heated and stays warm for quite a while.
|
|
|
We bought one in Austria, called "Oma's Kirschstein Sacke" -- filled with cherry pits. It's great for aches and pains and molds to the area ... and smells good too.
__________________
MaryG
3 boys (22, 12, 8)2 girls (20, 11)
my website that combines my schooling, hand-knits work, writing and everything else in one spot!
|
| Back to Top |
|
| |
sewcrazy
Forum All-Star
Joined: Aug 17 2006
Location: Illinois
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 735
|
| Posted: Nov 30 2009 at 4:57am | IP Logged
|
|
|
MicheleQ wrote:
I just love this idea as our bedrooms tend to be quite cold in the winter months. Alas, we do not have a microwave and I fear it would be too much of a fire risk in the oven. |
|
|
We dont have a micro either. I put mine in a pan into the oven after I pull dinner out and leave it at 250* until we are ready for them. They heat up nicely in about 30 minutes.
__________________
LeeAnn
Wife of David, mom to Ben, Dennis, Alex, Laura, Philip and our little souls in heaven we have yet to meet
|
| Back to Top |
|
| |
sewcrazy
Forum All-Star
Joined: Aug 17 2006
Location: Illinois
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 735
|
| Posted: Nov 30 2009 at 5:12am | IP Logged
|
|
|
This year I am making my dd a new dress coat. I found a beautiful bolt of camel color wool and a vintage pattern at a church rummage sale that I am goig to use.
My dh and teen sons are getting fitted boxers  I was able to buy a large length of organic, undyed veloured cotton at a remnant sale. It is a long, but narrow piece that I wasn't sure how I was going to use, but it was too soft (and inexpensive) to pass up.! Then I noticed the state of their undies  I found a pattern for "boxer briefs" in the "See and Sew" section. Since these are for winter use, I am going to make them a little longer, almost like bike shorts.
My mother is getting an indoor herb garden. My sons are making the shelves. I already started the seeds. My 10 yod and 5 yos decorated the pots. Depending on survival ate of the seedlings, I might make more than one to give as another gift.
I think my grandmother is getting a "rustic nativity". A neighbor lost several trees last year and allowed us to take all the wood we wanted. I found online instructions for making a mativity out of logs. We are going to give it a try next weekend.
There will be more, I am still getting organized. 
__________________
LeeAnn
Wife of David, mom to Ben, Dennis, Alex, Laura, Philip and our little souls in heaven we have yet to meet
|
| Back to Top |
|
| |
Cay Gibson
Forum All-Star
Joined: July 16 2005
Location: Louisiana
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 5193
|
| Posted: Nov 30 2009 at 5:41pm | IP Logged
|
|
|
This year the children are writing Meme's old recipes on new recipe cards (handwriting time) to insert in pretty floral recipe boxes tied with a ribbon.
We're making strawberry bread and buying pretty Christmasy-kitchen towels to go with each recipe box.
__________________
Cay Gibson
"There are 49 states, then there is Louisiana." ~ Chef Emeril
wife to Mark '86
mom to 5
Cajun Cottage Under the Oaks
|
| Back to Top |
|
| |
mathmama
Forum All-Star
Joined: Jan 07 2006
Location: Pennsylvania
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 771
|
| Posted: Dec 01 2009 at 2:07pm | IP Logged
|
|
|
I love the idea of the microwaveable bags since our house is so darn cold. I thought about making them for my family, but since my 5yo DD is getting a sewing machine for Christmas I thought it would be a super first project for her. Thanks for the idea!
__________________
Beth, wife to Tom and mommy to 4 beautiful girls:
Therese 11/04
Anna Mary 6/07
Veronica 10/09
Theodora 11/12
|
| Back to Top |
|
| |
stellamaris
Forum All-Star
Joined: Feb 26 2009
Location: Virginia
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 2732
|
| Posted: Dec 01 2009 at 2:55pm | IP Logged
|
|
|
I made these last year for my entire family. I used old pillow cases for the fabric (since they are a nice, tight weave). I cut them about 7-8" across parallel to the bottom seam. I folded the top edges under and pressed, then top-stitched four "compartments" from the lower seam of the pillow case (the short side) to the folded under edge. I filled them with rice, flax seed,lentils, and dried lavender, rosemary, and thyme from our garden and finished them by top-stitching across the top. I would not use the lentils again.They can be heated or frozen. I made a Velcro closing case for each pillow of a kind of suede cloth fabric. Be sure it is washable! As you will see below, I used a suede cloth that was dry clean only (fortunately, it rarely needs cleaning, but nevertheless...) Everyone loved them! Most successful gift I have ever made! Here's the note I included with the gift:
Merry Christmas to All!
In the spirit of the season and the shadow of questionable financial times, I hope you enjoy this Herbal Stress-Reducing Pillow. As you may notice, it has been HANDCRAFTED of cotton, rice, and organic home-grown herbs. Whenever you feel that holiday stress coming on, just remove your pillow from the suede cloth cover (or the cover will melt!) and heat it in your microwave for 4-5 minutes until warm. Put it back in its case and wrap it around your tense neck and feel the warmth spread through your shoulders, relaxing you completely!
Your pillow is filled with brown rice, lentils, flax seeds, lavender, rosemary, and thyme. The cover is dry-clean only. If the economy really takes a dive, just tear it open, add water, and , voila! , emergency soup rations.
If you have a strain or sprain, I think this pillow could also be frozen to make a flexible ice pack
__________________
In Christ,
Caroline
Wife to  dh 30+ yrs,ds's 83,85,89,dd's 91,95,ds's 01,01,02,grammy to 4
Flowing Streams
|
| Back to Top |
|
| |
4Real Forums : Tea and Conversation
Topic: What are you making this year for gifts?
